US6351692B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for configuring a genset controller for operation with particular gensets
Assignee: Kohler Co
•
Filing: 2000-10-24
•
Granted: 2002-02-26
•
Expires: 2020-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A genset controller that is configurable for controlling a variety of types of gensets, as well as a method of configuring a genset controller for controlling a genset, are disclosed. The genset controller includes a memory for storing a plurality of software routines, a personality profile data set, and a user-settable data set, and further includes a processor coupled to the memory for executing the software routines and reading data from the personality profile data set and the user settable data set to control the genset. The genset controller additionally includes an input port coupled to the memory for enabling changes to the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set to be downloaded into the memory. The personality profile data set and the user-settable data set include data that configures the genset controller for operation with a particular genset.
Inventors
- 👤 Zane C. Eaton
- 👤 Jonathan D. Churchill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:20
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/042; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/23; G05B2219/23429
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A genset controller that is configurable for controlling a variety of types of gensets, the genset controller comprising: a memory for storing a plurality of software routines, a personality profile data set, and a user-settable data set; a processor coupled to the memory for executing the software routines and reading data from the personality profile data set and the user settable data set to control the genset; and an input port coupled to the memory for enabling changes to the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set to be downloaded into the memory; and wherein the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set include data that configures the genset controller for operation with at least one of a particular genset and an engine/alternator combination within a particular genset, wherein the personality profile data set includes at least one of a transient open circuit time constant of the alternator, a number of alternator poles, a fixed voltage flag, a single maximum power rating for a fixed voltage alternator, a plurality of maximum power ratings, a plurality of alternator current limits corresponding to respective alternator voltage settings, a plurality of voltage regulator gain constants, a default gain for a regulator of an engine of the genset, a speed sensor constant to determine engine RPM, a plurality of engine speed warning and shutdown settings, a genset serial number, an alternator model number, an engine model number, and an engine shutdown oil pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
A genset controller that is configurable for controlling a variety of types of gensets, the genset controller comprising: a memory for storing a plurality of software routines, a personality profile data set, and a user-settable data set; a processor coupled to the memory for executing the software routines and reading data from the personality profile data set and the user settable data set to control the genset; and an input port coupled to the memory for enabling changes to the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set to be downloaded into the memory; and wherein the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set include data that configures the genset controller for operation with at least one of a particular genset and an engine/alternator combination within a particular genset, wherein the personality profile data set includes at least one of a transient open circuit time constant of the alternator, a number of alternator poles, a fixed voltage flag, a single maximum power rating for a fixed voltage alternator, a plurality of maximum power ratings, a plurality of alternator current limits corresponding to respective alternator voltage settings, a plurality of voltage regulator gain constants, a default gain for a regulator of an engine of the genset, a speed sensor constant to determine engine RPM, a plurality of engine speed warning and shutdown settings, a genset serial number, an alternator model number, an engine model number, and an engine shutdown oil pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The genset controller of claim 1 , further comprising a keypad interface by which the user-settable data set is downloaded into the memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The genset controller of claim 1 , wherein the user-settable data set includes at least one of a present output voltage of the genset, a present operational frequency of the genset, an identity of an analog input, an identity of a digital input, a genset serial number, an alternator model number, and an engine model number.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The genset controller of claim 1 , wherein the genset controller is capable of determining whether an engine control module (ECM) is being employed to control the genset based upon at least one of the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The genset controller of claim 1 , wherein the genset controller is capable of determining whether the genset includes a circuit breaker for preventing excessive current and heat generation within an alternator of the genset.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The genset controller of claim 5 , wherein the genset controller is configured to execute a thermal protection subroutine when it determines that the genset does not include the circuit breaker.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The genset controller of claim 6 , wherein the memory comprises a 512K FLASH memory in which the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set are stored, and further comprises an additional memory element in which the software routines are stored.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The genset controller of claim 1 , wherein the input port is an RS-232 serial input port by which the user-settable data set is input and downloaded into memory.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The genset controller of claim 1 , wherein operation of the genset will be disabled by the genset controller if a personality profile data set has not been downloaded into memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The genset controller of claim 1 , wherein a fault will occur if at least one of a genset serial number, an alternator model number, and an engine model number within the personality profile data set does not match a respective one of a genset serial number, an alternator model number, and an engine model number within the user-settable data set.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
The genset controller of claim 1 , wherein the personality profile data set is capable of being downloaded at one of a facility at which the genset controller is manufactured, a facility at which the genset controller and the genset are assembled together, and a field location at which a representative of a distributor is effecting a modification to the genset controller; and wherein the user-settable data is capable of being downloaded at any one of the places at which the personality profile data set is capable of being downloaded, and additionally is capable of being at least one of downloaded from a serial communication link, downloaded remotely using a program, and downloaded by the action of a user who intends to operate the genset.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The genset controller of claim 1 , wherein the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set are stored separately from the software routines in the memory so that the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set are downloaded without impacting the software routines.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
276 words
A genset controller that is configurable for controlling a variety of types of gensets, the genset controller comprising: a memory for storing a plurality of software routines, a personality profile data set, and a user-settable data set; a processor coupled to the memory for executing the software routines and reading data from the personality profile data set and the user settable data set to control the genset; and an input port coupled to the memory for enabling changes to the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set to be downloaded into the memory; and wherein the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set include data that configures the genset controller for operation with at least one of a particular genset and an engine/alternator combination within a particular genset, wherein the input port is an RS-232 serial input port by which the user-settable data set is capable of being inputed and downloaded into memory, wherein the personality profile data set is capable of being downloaded at one of a facility at which the genset controller is manufactured, a facility at which the genset controller and the genset are assembled together, and a field location at which a representative of a distributor is effecting a modification to the genset controller; and wherein the user-settable data set is capable of being downloaded at any one of the places at which the personality profile data set is capable of being downloaded, and additionally is capable of being at least one of downloaded from a serial communication link, downloaded remotely using a program, and downloaded by the action of a user who intends to operate the genset.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
276 words
A genset controller that is configurable for controlling a variety of types of gensets, the genset controller comprising: a memory for storing a plurality of software routines, a personality profile data set, and a user-settable data set; a processor coupled to the memory for executing the software routines and reading data from the personality profile data set and the user settable data set to control the genset; and an input port coupled to the memory for enabling changes to the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set to be downloaded into the memory; and wherein the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set include data that configures the genset controller for operation with at least one of a particular genset and an engine/alternator combination within a particular genset, wherein the input port is an RS-232 serial input port by which the user-settable data set is capable of being inputed and downloaded into memory, wherein the personality profile data set is capable of being downloaded at one of a facility at which the genset controller is manufactured, a facility at which the genset controller and the genset are assembled together, and a field location at which a representative of a distributor is effecting a modification to the genset controller; and wherein the user-settable data set is capable of being downloaded at any one of the places at which the personality profile data set is capable of being downloaded, and additionally is capable of being at least one of downloaded from a serial communication link, downloaded remotely using a program, and downloaded by the action of a user who intends to operate the genset.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of configuring a genset controller for controlling a genset, the method comprising: storing a plurality of software routines, a personality profile data set, and a user-settable data set; operating the genset by executing the software routines which employ the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set; downloading changes to the personality profile data set at a first time to alter the manner in which the genset is operated by execution of the software routines; and downloading changes to the user-settable data set at at least one of the first time and a second time subsequent to the first time to alter the manner in which the genset is operated by execution of the software routines.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of configuring a genset controller for controlling a genset, the method comprising: storing a plurality of software routines, a personality profile data set, and a user-settable data set; operating the genset by executing the software routines which employ the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set; downloading changes to the personality profile data set at a first time to alter the manner in which the genset is operated by execution of the software routines; and downloading changes to the user-settable data set at at least one of the first time and a second time subsequent to the first time to alter the manner in which the genset is operated by execution of the software routines.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising: comparing a first segment of identification information within the personality profile data set with a second segment of identification information within the user-settable data set; and providing a fault signal if the two segments of identification information do not match one another.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising: preventing operation of the genset by way of the genset controller if the personality profile data set is improper in that it contains no information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
117 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the personality profile data set includes at least one of a transient open circuit time constant of the alternator, a number of alternator poles, a fixed voltage flag, a single maximum power rating for a fixed voltage alternator, a plurality of maximum power ratings, a plurality of alternator current limits corresponding to respective alternator voltage settings, a plurality of voltage regulator gain constants, a default gain for a regulator of an engine of the genset, a speed sensor constant to determine engine RPM, a plurality of engine speed warning and shutdown settings, a genset serial number, an alternator model number, an engine model number, and an engine shutdown oil pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the user-settable data set includes at least one of a present output voltage of the genset, a present operational frequency of the genset, an identity of an analog input, an identity of a digital input, a genset serial number, an alternator model number, and an engine model number.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the genset controller is capable of determining whether an engine control module (ECM) is being employed to control the genset based upon at least one of the personality profile data set and the user-settable data set.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the genset controller is capable of determining whether the genset includes a circuit breaker for preventing excessive current and heat generation within an alternator of the genset.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3654484A
Cited
US3715652A
Cited
US4128771A
Cited
US4245182A
Cited
US4208693A
Cited
US4219860A
Cited
US4403292A
Cited
GB2055262A
Cited
US4326159A
Cited
US4346337A
Cited
US4322630A
Cited
US4280060A
Cited
US4330743A
Cited
US4477765A
Cited
US4368520A
Cited
US4486801A
Cited
US4403293A
Cited
US4443828A
Cited
US4345288A
Cited
US4438385A
Cited
US4538231A
Cited
US4438498A
Cited
US4527071A
Cited
US4598373A
Cited
US4617626A
Cited
US4583036A
Cited
US4550379A
Cited
US4593348A
Cited
US4498016A
Cited
US4602341A
Cited
US4533863A
Cited
US4481459A
Cited
US4672501A
Cited
US4589052A
Cited
US4559487A
Cited
US4659977A
Cited
US4651081A
Cited
US4682097A
Cited
US4670704A
Cited
US4714869A
Cited
US4653442A
Cited
US4701690A
Cited
US4839575A
Cited
US4777425A
Cited
US4731547A
Cited
US4800291A
Cited
US4937561A
Cited
US4996646A
Cited
US5168208A
Cited
US5390068A
Cited
US4912382A
Cited
US5006781A
Cited
US4855664A
Cited
US5309312A
Cited
US5117174A
Cited
US5057962A
Cited
US5206776A
Cited
US5418675A
Cited
US5362209A
Cited
US5216350A
Cited
US5294879A
Cited
US5305234A
Cited
US5303160A
Cited
US5486751A
Cited
US5298842A
Cited
US5376877A
Cited
US5504417A
Cited
US5450268A
Cited
US5847644A
Cited
US5615654A
Cited
US5483927A
Cited
US5451876A
Cited
US5477827A
Cited
US5732676A
Cited
US6018200A
Cited
US5886504A
Cited
US5640060A
Cited
US5761073A
Cited
US5701070A
Cited
US5751532A
Cited
US5754033A
Cited
US5862391A
Cited
US5938716A
Cited
US5978729A
Cited
US5977647A
Cited
US6005759A
Cited
US5999876A
Cited
US6104171A
Cited
US6107927A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-02-25 | 2005-08-27 | 2006-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-25 | 2009-08-27 | 2010-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-25 | 2013-08-27 | 2014-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |